Golf: Teenager grabs lead as he equals record

Christchurch teenager Anthony Doyle equalled the course record with an eight-under 64 to lead after the first round of strokeplay at the New Zealand amateur golf championship at Mt Maunganui yesterday.

Doyle bagged nine birdies and one bogey as the field took advantage of the excellent conditions that saw 38 players record par or better.

Doyle, 19, holds a one-shot lead from Rotorua's Sam Hunt, with another shot back to Australian Henry Epstein on 66.

Fellow Queenslanders Gavin Hills, Doyle's playing partner yesterday, 1999 New Zealand amateur champion Andrew Duffin, and Matthew Ballard, finished with 67s.

Defending champion Eddie Burgess, of Tauranga, made a slow start, dropping four shots in the final five holes for a three-over 75.

Fellow international Gareth Paddison, of Wellington's Manor Park and the 1999 strokeplay champion, also made a slow start, dropping three late shots for an even-par 72 and a tie for 28th place. Defending strokeplay champion Tim Wilkinson, of Golf City, Palmerston North, posted a 69.

Doyle's 64 equalled the course record set by Auckland's Danil Wairepo in 1999.

Hunt, who leaves next week with his Rotorua Boys' High School team to defend their world secondary schools title in England, continued his form after winning the foursomes on Sunday with schoolmate Bradley Iles. The sixth-former was square after eight holes but closed with seven birdies in the final 10 holes.

The leading 32 players after 72 holes will contest the amateur title beginning on Thursday, with the 36-hole final scheduled for Sunday.

- NZPA